The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-25
The Opal Ring.
From the Providence Telegram,

The Opal Ring.
From the Providence Telegram.
''But, Jack, l always thought opals were
unlucky," said Phyllis Redeem to her husband as
she looked down at the ring he had just placed on
her finger, and then at his smiling face.
81 hope You are not supersttious, dear-why that
ring has been in our family fer fifty years, and
think we have been pretty lucky Notwithstanding.
am sure am in luck to get such wife, and he
kissed her tenderly.
Jack Redeem followed the sea, and was very
proud of his beautiful wife, though times inclined
to be jealous He did not want her to be even on
friendly terms with any other man. and grew out of
temper sometimes when she only meant to be civil.
In spite of all this Phyllis very fond of him,
and it was great regret to her that he was COM
PEELED to be away on voyages so often.
Early in the spring there was some talk of his YES
sci going abroad Jack said he would go down and
see if he could not make some arrangement to stop
over voyage at home. Phyllis spent the time dur
ing his absence overhauling the little cottage and
getting things in order.
One afternoon she went out in her garden to weed
her flower beds. The tulips and hyacinths were in
full bloom and the air filled with fragrance but
she was thinking too much of her absent husband
to take pleasu. IN anything, as she worked with
will.
"Phyllisp cried pleasant, but lazy voice.
She dropped her head and looked up.
Itwas only Rob, her cousin, Robert Dukehart.
"Will you come in? But am very busy"
The young man sauntered in.
you're always busy, it seems to me- Phyllis,
when Pm about, he said with smiling sort of i'm
pudence "Wont you shake hands with q fellow
for the sake of old times?'
lush almost as bright as the tulip streaks, rose
in the young wifes cheeks; but she gave Rob the
tips of her fingers
In her girlish days Phyllis had been good deal
admired for her own sweet face and winning ways
for the most part: but in few cases. the fact that
she would one day inherit the old Dukehart home
stead served to enhance her attractions.
Her cousin Rob was one Of her most assiduous
admirers. He followed her like shadow, and
even after her engagement to Jack Redfern, was
little disagreeable by his marked devotion.
After her marriage on one occasion cousin Rob
had excited Jacks jealous anger by making himself
over-attentive to Phyllis, and some pretty sharp
words had passed between them.
Bob stood and watched her. admiration and re-
greet in his eyes. Why could she not have been his
wife instead of Jack Redfern's?
"Let me do that for YOU Phyllis he said after q
minute. eff you were my wife you shouldn't
drudge like slave"
'But am not your wife, and glad enough am
OF It," she replied go away, Rob; don't want
you here when Jack is absent"
Bob laughed an ugly, provoking sort of laugh.
Il suppose not, Phyllis You re afraid he'll come
and find me here the jealous brute I'm not going.''
"Then FL go myself" said the young wife, with
dignity, and she left the garden.
He looked after her as if he would like to follow,
but hesitated. Something glittered on the ground
at his feet, and he stopped and picked up 1t was
the opal wedding ring he had seen glitter on her
finger Rob whstled softly and put it in his pocket
Then he went over to the village tavern and spent
the afternoon over bottle ofbrandy and some soda
| Lounging on the tavern porch he saw Jack Red.
fern coming down the road, and g wicked thought
| flashed through his oYereXcited BRAIN
Hes coming in. Now, boys" he cried, "1ook
| out for some fun
| Jack came in to leave message with the bar
keeper, and, having delivered it, was going out
| again, when a loud voice caught his ear.
"Hele's to Phyllis Redfern,' it said.
He wheeled around like lightning. Rob was just
in the act of draining his glass =,
'How dare,you trihe with my wife's nameT' de-
| manded Jack.
Rob laughed sneeringly.
"When woman shows fellow q favor he dares
everything" he answered, and held up his right
hand.
On the little finger cleaned the opal ring Jack
saw it and his dark face flushed crimson. He
cleared the distance between himself and the
speaker with one bound, and before the breathess
bysanders could interfere, he had elled Rob to the
floor.
Without stopping to see the effect of the blow,
Jack ran all the way home. He met Phyllis stand
ing in the doorway Of the cottage.
"Phyllis,' said he, angrily, where is your we'd
ding ringq'
She looked down at her finger with start, her
heart failing her at his tone
"Why, jack" flushing and speaking with embar-
rassment, sit was on my finger. Hope 1 have not
lost it."
Her husband threw her from him with muttered
exclamation, and strobe out of the house without
word.
1t was many weeks before Phyllis was able to be
about again. Rob, appalled, at the trouble he had
nrnQfnI hn,, ;,,Ar
his possession-too late to do any good. Jack was
gone.
"Ill find him and bring bim back to her if it costs
my life," said Rob in remorse and with a last look
at her deathille face he departed.
How long the summer was to Phyllis, waiting for
one who never came, A mother now as well as
wife, her heart grew sad that perhaps he should
never see the baby. One day she stood at the
gate quick, resoute tread resounded in the road
below.
Phyllis looked up. with her heart iu wild nutter.
1t was not the pos IN N, but tall bronzed man.
"Oh, Jack oh, Jack p'
Her cry of rapture startled the birds into silence
and hushed the chipping crickets.
In a twinkling JACK mad her in his strong arms
and his tears fell on her cheeks.
ooh, Phyllis, can you forgive me?" he said, with
choking voice.
"There is nothing to forgive" she sobbed. cling
ing to him, "see, Jack have got my wedding
ring How missed you Jack. You can never
know how hungered for you, jack" hiding her
hot face in his breast "theres someone besides me
to welcome YOU Can't you guess Jack? A little,
wee baby, Jack, with his fathers own eyes /
thought once you would never see him, Jack, but
thank God you have come"
He could only hold her close to his heart; he had
no words to answer her.
"Jack, how did you know" she asked at last.
when the first rapture Of the reunion was over.
"Did you get my letter'
mo" he answer d hoarsely. ut was Rob lie
followed me across the ocean, found me and told
me everything. Phyllis can you forgive me?'
Jack, sic said softly, 'you my baby's father.
What God has joined together no man can put
asunder. Let us go home.'
OH That Headache.
allow I am tormentod with continual head